Meet our board

How did you get involved with AAB?

I learned about AAB through family and my kiddos and I have volunteered in assisting AAB with the summer swim around the island event. I have also started swimming in the sound and through all these interactions and activities, I have learned more and more about AAB. I have a deep appreciation for the care and thoughtful support that AAB provides members of our community going through incredibly challenging times and wanted to do whatever I could to assist in supporting AAB’s mission statement.

What skills do you bring to AAB (that is, what’s your superpower)?

I would say that my superpower is I have a passion for helping others and I find enjoyment in organizing things.

What has surprised you about being part of AAB?

It has been very moving to see how much the Bainbridge community circles around AAB to aid in supporting our community. I feel very lucky to live in such a supportive place where neighbors help neighbors.

How did you get involved with AAB?

I first participated in the around the island relay not even knowing that it was a fundraiser. Once I found out about the mission of AAB it was a fit in many ways of how I want to serve and support my community.

What skills do you bring to AAB (that is, what's your superpower)?

I happily swim skins (no wetsuit) all year round in the puget sound so my super power is cold water swimming.

What is your vision for AAB?

My big vision is that AAB doesn't need to exist. That people could always feel financially supported in the face of a health crisis. My next year vision is for more of our community to know about AAB and the great ways neighbors are helping neighbors. Bainbridge is a special place and it makes me happy to know that many of the non-profits on the island take good care of our residents.

What is one thing you want people to know about AAB?

You want to be involved in this organization whether by donor, volunteer or swimmer! This organization brings life, light, love and support to our sweet island.

How did you get involved with AAB?

I first discovered AAB at the AAB Bingo Night fundraiser. The event was not only fun and thoughtfully organized, but it also gave me a chance to hear powerful stories from AAB recipients and board members. After learning more about the organization’s mission and impact, I knew I wanted to be part of this special community.  

What’s your dream for AAB?

AAB is a powerful example of what’s possible when a community—no matter how small—comes together with compassion, love, and a shared sense of responsibility. My dream is that AAB continues to be a steady source of support, stepping in whenever a neighbor is in need and offering comfort, relief, and hope during life’s most difficult moments.  

What's your favorite thing about Bainbridge Island?

I’ve lived here over 20 years. I love the community and people’s willingness to step up, pitch in, and contribute in so many different ways. And, of course, the beauty that surrounds us.

What is one thing you want people to know about AAB?

This is not a big organization, but the impact we can make on individuals and families is enormous. We are living in a time when there is a crisis of leadership, where the larger systems are failing to take care of the vulnerable among us. This is one way to counteract that feeling of powerlessness to effect change, and take meaningful action that has tangible and immediate results.

How did you get involved with AAB?

Like many people, I was initially drawn by the coolness factor of the swim relay. But the more I learned about the work AAB does, the more I wanted to do. Because that's where the coolness truly lies.

What is one thing you want people to know about AAB?

I've seen firsthand the importance of community when individuals fall sick. AAB helps keep our neighbors among their support systems both by providing financial support and by custom tailoring direct services.

How did you get involved with AAB?

Janice asked me to join the board, and I said yes because I really wanted to volunteer in our local community and think AAB’s work is extremely important in addressing shortcomings in our healthcare system.

What has surprised you about being part of AAB?

I have only been part of AAB for a short time, but I’ve been surprised by how much AAB is able to accomplish when it is 100 percent volunteer run. That said, now that I know this dedicated group of volunteers better, I’m less surprised.

What is one thing you want people to know about AAB?

AAB fills a gap in our healthcare system by helping people who are facing financial crisis because of illness. AAB says they serve as a bridge for recipients as they work toward long term stability and they work hard to make that a sturdy bridge that’s tailored toward the individual recipient’s needs. They recognize that it’s hard to focus on treating your illness when you are in financial crisis. Depending on a recipient’s needs, AAB may contribute toward rent, transit to and from doctors appointments, groceries, cell phones, and other things that create housing, food and emotional security while the recipient focuses their attention on their physical health.

How did you get involved with AAB?

I grew up in a small coastal town and I loved the sense of community. One of things that drew me to Arms Around Bainbridge is the way we care for one another. Investing in my community is a priority for me and my family, and AAB does just that. AAB is created by this community to support this community in a way that is uniquely Bainbridge.

What is your vision for AAB?

My vision is to build upon the existing success of AAB, supporting Bainbridge and local community members in difficult times, while continuing to expand as Bainbridge grows. I’d love to expand the donor base and create fun events that attract more of our awesome community. Together we can do amazing things.

What is one thing you want people to know about AAB?

I want everyone on Bainbridge to understand that they can and should be a part of AAB. Whether you are a swimmer, coordinator, donor, or volunteer, AAB is an incredible way to unite as a community to support those in need and forge meaningful connections and friendships.

What's a time when you were most proud of the island community?

Creating and running the COVID vaccine clinics in 2020 and 2021. It was an incredible effort by so many volunteers and the coordination of the different Bainbridge agencies, non-profits, and businesses was unprecedented.  As a result Bainbridge had one of the highest vaccination rates in the state. 

What is one thing you want people to know about AAB?

AAB's administrative/overhead costs are so, so low. All board members are volunteers and we leverage all other resources to eliminate or reduce typical administrative costs. This means an increased amount of donations going directly to the recipients.

What's the coolest thing AAB has done so far?

I've been part of a response where a recipient had what they needed from AAB in a matter of hours.  It was a team effort and members thought outside the box and went out of their way to ensure the recipient got what they needed when they needed it. It was amazing to watch and I am so proud of the work everyone did to make it happen. 

How did you get involved with AAB?

Honestly, for me it started with open water swimming and hearing about this amazing around the island relay that the open water swimming community wouldn’t stop talking about. It wasn’t long after I had signed up that I started learning more about AAB, the incredible mission that they had, and the amazing dedication to our community that the Board of Directors exhibited.

What skills do you bring to AAB (that is, what's your superpower)?

I would say that my superpowers are logistics and laughter.  I love to plan and schedule and I love open water swimming. So I couldn’t be more excited than to be helping to organize the Around-the-Island Swim.

What is your vision for AAB?

I want to see a AAB become a more visible part of the Bainbridge Island service community. Our mission is so unique with the goal of filling gaps so that our island residents don’t slip through the cracks when disaster hits. 

What is one thing you want people to know about AAB?

I think it’s important for people to know that AAB was founded on the principal of helping a single friend who was diagnosed with cancer. Since then the mission has expanded to trying to help a larger swath of our community. But in the end the premise is the same: Neighbors Helping Neighbors!

How did you get involved with AAB?

I started participating in the AAB swim relay in 2015. Every summer, I looked forward to the inner peace, the positive energy, and the humbling perspective that the swim - and the people behind the relay - provided. When I was asked to join the board in 2022, I didn't hesitate.

What is your vision for AAB?

Really, I want most of the incredible things about AAB to stay the same. That is, the close connections between the board and recipients, the trust that donors have in us, and the idea that we’re just neighbors helping neighbors. As we continue to grow, I envision AAB becoming more well-known on the island to the point that it's mentioned among friends as a familiar and valuable resource in our community.

How did you get involved with AAB?

In a conversation with a friend on the board, I mentioned I wasn’t sure what the next phase of my life would like with all my kids being in school for the first time. I wanted to feel like I was spending my time in worthwhile ways, and AAB certainly fills that desire. I’m grateful to live in a place that cares about individual needs and recognizes that helping one person helps the entire community.

What is your vision for AAB?

My vision is really for Bainbridge Islanders—for people to know that AAB is a resource for friends and neighbors who may see themselves or loved ones in a sudden crisis. I hope people realize they can donate with the assurance that 100% of their contribution goes to alleviate stress and worry of recipients.